Tri-Elmar 28-35-50 - changing focal length

[sar-photo]

Hi, just got myself one of these lenses (the E49 version), and I've got a question about changing oval lengths. Changing between 35 and 50 is lovely and smooth but when changing between 50 and 28 it's not smooth - there's a slight grating feeling. Is this normal or should I return it to the shop? I was told that it was near mint (which it is) and all the rings were beautifully smooth.

Cheers
Simon

 

[Rayt]

Mine is like that too. There is a bit of friction when changing focal lengths. I don't believe it is a defect.

 

[Rob-F]

I had one like that and one that was smooth. I don't think it is normal. They have to go to Germany for repair, though. Too complex to be done in the field.

 

[Dante_Stella]

You're driving the aperture adjuster and frame lug changer as well as the focal length. You'll probably also note the focus stiffening toward infinity. These lenses are dazzlingly complex. And expensive to have Leica fix.

The design was dumbed down a little for the wide-angle Tri-Elmar (dropping the auto frame lugs). The 21-35mm M-Hexanon dual dispensed with the auto-aperture adjustment and just gives you two aperture dots instead.

The bottom line is that the more things are cammed off the focusing and focal length rings, the less smooth things are.

Dante

 

[john_s]

......but when changing between 50 and 28 it's not smooth - there's a slight grating feeling......
Cheers
Simon

Mine's a bit firmer, but definitely not "grating." As previous poster says, there's a fair bit of mechanism in there.

 

[sar-photo]

Thanks guys - still not sure if I should complain or not. It did cost me a lot of money!!

Simon

 

[john_s]

FWIW, I just had another look at mine. The difference between 35-50 and 50-28 is very minimal, and equally smooth. Maybe I just got lucky, as I've read of other cases a bit like yours with complicated lenses, like the 50mm Summilux ASPH. It's a tough decision for you. Is it a local dealer or, as is usually the case these days, somewhat distant involving shipping? (In my case it was 12,000km)